Hamamori at South Coast Plaza is our favorite Japanese restaurants and “the best sushi money can buy in OC,” according to Jeff Overley of Food Frenzy. The restaurant is offering a special Valentine’s weekend menu, available Friday through Monday, at lunch or dinner. It can be ordered as a three-course prix fixe ($47) or a la carte.
Hamamori is offering exquisite foods dishes, including wagyu beef tartare with pickled daikon and negi, ponzu sauce; and housemade ravioli with lobster and tokyo onion filling; and filet mignon with soy-sesame sauce, asparagus and cream croquette. Level 3, at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. 714.850.0880.
The Cupid Special
The Cupid Special is a nifty offer at El Torito Grill starting Friday through Valentine’s Day. A three-course dinner for two for just $45 is a great deal. Over the last year at El Torito Grill, much effort has been put forth to bring in organic and natural meats, produce and much more. The food is really good and tequila selections and cocktails are excellent. The three-course dinner for two begins with starter options including chicken tortilla soup, fire-roasted tomato soup or the Grill’s garden salad; followed by entrée selections chicken milanesa, fajitas supremas, carne asada or fire-grilled salmon; and choice of housemade churros or berry tostada to share for dessert.
The El Torito Grill has five Orange County locations.
Rancho Santa Margarita at 22322 El Paseo 949.589.4164;
Anaheim at 1801 E. Katella Ave. 949.975.1220;
Brea at 555 Pointe Drive 714.990.2411; in Irvine
at 1910 Main St. 949.975.1220;
and Newport Beach at Fashion Island, 951 Newport Center Drive 949.640.2875.

Oyster Special!
In honor of the lover’s holiday, the Harbor Grill in Dana Point will be throwing oyster night specials through Feb. 14! Preparations will be available at $9.95 for a half-dozen. Guests can enjoy the classic lovers combination of Champagne and oysters with discounted glasses of Mumm Napa Brut Prestige for $5 a glass and $20 a bottle. 34499 Golden Lantern Dana Point.
True Love at True Food!
On Valentine’s Day, celebrate True Love with True Food at Fashion Island! It’s serving up a lovely $25 per person three-course meal. Share a first course from a list of the six most popular appetizers on the menu, then for a second course choose an entrée from the selection of six house favorites. At the end of third course, choose a dessert assortment for two. At Fashion Island in Newport Beach. 949.644.2400.

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from the blog
- 06.03.26 – Paséa Hotel & Spa Hosts Annual Pup Fest on June 14
- 06.03.26 – Summer Nights on the Lawn at VEA Newport Beach
- 06.03.26 – Dr. Martens Warehouse Sale Comes to Tustin June 4-7
- 06.03.26 – Broken Yolk Café Hosts Fundraiser for Project Hope Alliance
- 06.01.26 – Gospel Voices of OC Returns to Irvine Barclay Theatre
- 05.27.26 – ‘The Sound of Music’ Tour Brings Its Beloved Story to Costa Mesa
- 05.26.26 – San Pedro Fish Market Celebrates 70 Years on the Waterfront
- 05.26.26 – Murder Mystery Dinner Experience Debuts in Buena Park
- 05.25.26 – Your Business. Our Audience.
- 05.20.26 – Casa Romantica Showcases Festival of Arts Legacy in New Summer Exhibition
- 05.18.26 – Azure Day Party Debuts Sundays at The Bungalow Huntington Beach
- 05.18.26 – Newport Dunes Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend With Music, Movies, and More
- 05.17.26 – Free Summer Dance Nights and Concerts Return to Segerstrom Center
- 05.17.26 – CasaDami Teams Up With Gelato Paradiso for a Summer Dessert Flight
- 05.14.26 – Farm Tour & Field Day at Fermentation Farm Acres
- 05.14.26 – 44 Women for Orangewood Luncheon in Newport Beach
- 05.13.26 – Riverdance 30 Brings a New Generation to Segerstrom Center
- 05.11.26 – Lido Theater Receives 2026 Preservation Award
- 05.08.26 – Bluewater Grill Celebrates 30 Years With Seafood Tastings and Holiday Specials
- 05.08.26 – Outpost Kitchen at South Coast Plaza Debuts Mother’s Day Menu
More Daily Doses
- 06.03.26 – Shopbop Pop-Up Arrives at Lido Marina Village
- 05.28.26 – Orange County Brand LYNKS Brings Style and Comfort Together
- 05.27.26 – Sherman Library & Gardens Introduces Hazeltine’s and New Afternoon Tea Experience
- 05.25.26 – Champagnes Kitchen Expands to Huntington Beach
- 05.18.26 – Uncle Fluffy Brings Viral Japanese Cheesecake to Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square
- 05.17.26 – Newport Beach TV Fest Returns With Star-Powered Lineup at Lido Theater
- 05.13.26 – Pure Salt Marks 10 Years With New Newport Beach Flagship
- 05.10.26 – A Coastal Spa Experience Arrives at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach
- 05.10.26 – Cozy Earth’s Cuddle Collection Brings Luxury Comfort to Corona del Mar
- 05.07.26 – Sweetgreen Opens at Irvine’s University Center
- 05.06.26 – Icons of Napa Valley Wine Dinner Returns to Henry’s Coastal Cuisine
- 04.29.26 – Mother’s Day Dining Across Orange County
- 04.29.26 – La La Land Kind Cafe Grand Opening at Irvine Spectrum
- 04.29.26 – J Ruby: A Colorful Creative Find in South Laguna
- 04.28.26 – A New Chapter for Zov’s in San Clemente
- 04.23.26 – David Spade Takes The Lido Theater Stage
- 04.20.26 – Arrive in Style. Leave the Driving to Us.
- 04.19.26 – Candace Bushnell Brings One-Woman Show to South Coast Repertory
- 04.18.26 – A Coastal Weekend of Wine, Food and Ocean Views
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